TALKING POINTS FOR UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON KUWAITI

UNCLAS STATE 067981 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV IZ SUBJECT: TALKING POINTS FOR UNSC CONSULTATIONS ON KUWAITI PROPERTY AND MISSING PERSONS 1.(U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2. 2.(U) USUN is instructed to draw from the following talking points during the June 25 consultations on the Secretary-General,s June 19 report on the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains and the return of all Kuwaiti property, including archives, seized by the former regime in Iraq. Additional points are also included for Ambassador Khalilzad,s June 26 meeting with Ambassador Gennady Tarasov, successor to Ambassador Vorontsov. 3.(U) Begin points: -- I would like to begin today by welcoming Ambassador Gennady Tarasov and congratulating him on his appointment as the High-Level Coordinator for the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals or their remains and the return of all Kuwaiti property, including archives, seized by the former Iraqi regime. I am confident in his ability to facilitate the resolution of outstanding issues and continue the work of his esteemed predecessor, Ambassador Vorontsov. Ambassador Vorontsov carried out his mandate with compassion and determination and will be remembered for his dedication to his country and the international community. -- Today, I would like to discuss four points on the developments and progress achieved during the reporting period. -- First, allow me to commend the Iraqi and Kuwaiti governments for their cooperation in resolving the fate of missing persons and the work of identifying human remains. We extend our condolences to the families of all those who are still missing and those who have been identified. In light of the improved security situation in Iraq, I am hopeful that search and assessment operations will increase in the future. The cooperation of witnesses and local residents will be crucial to the success of such operations, and we encourage efforts to reach out to them. -- Second, I regret that the case of our own missing Navy pilot, Captain Michael S. Speicher, has not been resolved. The United States continues to investigate the loss of Captain Speicher, who has been missing from action in Iraq since January 17, 1991. The government and people of the United States share a common bond and a lasting commitment with other nations and families seeking answers to the fate of their missing personnel. Efforts to conclusively determine the circumstances or fate of Captain Speicher have not yet been successful and the United States desires all efforts possible to be taken until he is recovered and returned to his family and loved ones. We look forward to the resolution of this case and are grateful for the cooperation of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi governments in this regard. -- Third, I am disappointed by the lack of progress made in the retrieval of Kuwaiti national archives. However, the Iraqi government,s discovery and promise to return hundreds of Kuwaiti radio and television tape recordings is encouraging, as it signals a renewed effort by Iraq to locate and return seized documents. -- Finally, I would like to thank Ambassador Tarasov for his efforts to achieve progress on these issues. I am pleased to note that he has been invited to visit Iraq and meet with the officials in charge of the issue of missing Kuwaitis, Kuwaiti property, and archives. I hope that this visit can occur as soon as possible, and I look forward to the continued cooperation of all parties concerned. His visit to Kuwait and his discussions here in New York have, I hope, proved helpful in his task. Thank you. 4.(U) Additional points for Ambassador Khalilzad,s June 26 meeting with Ambassador Tarasov: -- It is important that we see progress on missing persons/remains and archives in the coming months. What is your candid assessment of what progress might be possible? -- What further assistance do you think we might be able to provide? RICE